Oare Marshes Latest Sightings

June 2008

Kent Wildlife Trust

KWT has an unmissable opportunity to achieve huge gains for wildlife by purchasing a 35 acre extension to this popular reserve. Click here to find out how you can help.

Reporting Your Sightings

To help keep this page as up-to-date and informative as possible, please send your sightings and any pictures taken onsite (please see 'Guidelines for submissions' on the KOS Photo Gallery for details of how to resize your pics etc.) to Murray Wright by clicking here.

Species List for 2008

To view the complete list of species recorded so far this year please click here.

155 species have been recorded in the area so far this year.

June 30th

(07:15-10:45) Bright, sunny and warm with only a light SW wind. A Hobby was circling over the west side. 2 Common Buzzards were soaring high over the fields to the south, one soon drifting off south and the other drifting slowly north and eventually heading across the Swale to Sheppey. Also, a Sparrowhawk circled over heading west. Met Mike Stevens on the entrance road. The water level on the East Flood is starting to drop with some nice muddy margins starting to appear. Over high tide we noted 1 Green Sandpiper (only six months behind Mike!), 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, 1 Ringed Plover, 13 Avocets (including 3 well developed juveniles) and circa 150 Black-tailed Godwits, plus 2 Curlews flew west. Also, 5 Little Egrets and 5 Common Teal were present, but again no sign of any Garganey. A Whimbrel was flushed from along Faversham Creek. A pair of Marsh Harriers were circling high over the West Flood. A Lesser Whitethroat was singing from the brambles west of the entrance road.

(Mike Stevens and Murray Wright)

June 29th

(05:15-10:50) Sunny, moderate SW wind. A Little Owl was showing closely in the paddock, Blackcap lustily and Lesser Whitethroat briefly were singing opposite the cottages, a lone Turtle Dove was present and there were four Cuckoos. The cock Bullfinch put in another appearance and two Great Spotted Woodpeckers included a juvenile again. One Yellow Wagtail flew around over the paddock. A Barn Owl had caught a vole near the sluice and flew off toward Ham Road. A Peregrine was on the Nagden pylons and a cock Stonechat was singing across the creek on the scaffolding set up for the pylon refurbishments. On the east flood, there was about 130+ Black-tailed Godwits, a single Common Sandpiper and Greenshank, and eight Avocets, including a juvenile whilst adults were chasing off other birds. They had probably "migrated" from one of the Sheppey sites. A first brood of three Tufted Duck was present on the flood and broods of eight Gadwall and five Pochard were also seen. The brood of four Mute Swans includes two Polish cygnets more obviously different as they grow bigger. A brood of eight Shelduck was on the creek. A Sparrowhawk was seen over Mocketts Hill and a Hobby was seen over the west flood.

Non-avian interest included a large number of Ruddy Darters still, with one exception, in fresh teneral suits. At least one Small Heath was by the sea wall at the Uplees copse and a Small Skipper on the sea wall by the west flood. Mike Gould and Murray Orchard were also ticked off (not admonished).

(Geoff Burton and Murray Wright)

June 28th

(06:15-11:00) Mainly bright and sunny with a strong SW wind. A Barn Owl was performing well again around the East Flood, perching on the East Hide briefly. A Black Tern was on the flood all morning spending a lot of time posing nicely on a patch of mud close to the road (although the lighting wasn't ideal for photography as I was looking straight into the sun). Also on the East Flood: 2 eclipse drake Garganeys still, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, 57 Black-tailed Godwits, 16 Avocets (including one fully grown juvenile - presumably from Sheppey), circa 25 Redshanks, 20 Lapwings, 2 Common Terns and 4 Little Egrets. Several Bearded Tits were in the reeds behind the Sea Wall hide. A pair of Cuckoos, 1 Little Owl, 2 Cetti's Warblers and a singing Blackcap were opposite the cottages.

(Murray Wright)

June 26th

(06:15-11:45) Bright, sunny and warm with a blustery SW wind again. A Barn Owl was hunting and showing very well along the entrance road from early morning until circa 09:30 when it headed off south-west. 87 Black-tailed Godwits were on the East Flood this morning, plus the 2 drake Garganeys, 5 Avocets and 2 Little Egrets. 100+ Sand Martins were gathering on the wires along the entrance road. A Peregrine circled high over the new acquisition before drifting north. 3 Little Egrets were on the West Flood. A Little Owl was perched on the concrete blocks near Dan's Dock. A pair of Hobbies were circling over the sheep fields. At Uplees Copse there were a pair of Cuckoos, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and 1 singing Cetti's Warbler. Returning to the East Flood I met up with Mike Stevens who had been photographing the Sand Martins (see picture below). Mike had seen the male Bullfinch opposite the cottages, plus 1 Little Owl, 1 Turtle Dove, 2 Cuckoos and 1 singing Blackcap noted there.

(Murray Wright)

(16:30-18:30) Mike Stevens and his wife Jane returned to Oare this afternoon. From the bench east of the East Hide Jane picked out a male Whinchat - the first record of the year (and the first addition to the Oare year list since 7th June). Also, 120+ Black-tailed Godwits were on the East Flood.

(Mike and Jane Stevens)

June 25th

(06:15-11:00) Mainly bright and sunny with a strong SW wind. 4 Avocets and 2 Little Egrets were on the West Scrape. The male Bullfinch was in the dead trees opposite the cottages first thing, plus a female Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 singing Blackcap, 1 singing Cetti's Warbler, 1 Turtle Dove and 1 Little Owl. The pair of Cuckoos were again very active and vocal around the scrub. Walking to the West Hide a Corn Bunting flew south-west and 3 Curlews flew west. 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers were on the pole beneath the weather vane. On the East Flood: 2 drake Garganeys, 83 Black-tailed Godwits, circa 25 Redshank, 6 Avocets, 5 Teal, 37 Shovelers, circa 40 Gadwall and 2 Little Egrets, plus the first two juvenile Black-headed Gulls I've seen here this summer. The pair of Grey Partridges were in the field behind the cottages again. Circa 50 Lapwings flew west over the reserve during the morning. Just 9 Curlews were on the mud east of Faversham Creek. A Common Buzzard was hanging over Mocketts for circa half an hour mid-morning. A (returning?) Whimbrel was on the mud west of the slipway - my first since 25th May, plus another Curlew there. The pair of Marsh Harriers were around the reserve much of the morning. A Cetti's Warbler was singing around the car park still.

(Murray Wright)

June 24th

(06:45-11.45) Sunny with a light to moderate easterly wind. On the east flood there were two drake Garganey, nine Teal, a brood of eight Gadwall ducklings, a pair of Greylag Geese with five almost full-grown goslings and 57 Black-tailed Godwits which arrived as the tide was falling. Opposite the cottages, there were two male Cuckoos, at least two Great Spotted Woodpeckers, including a juvenile, a singing Blackcap and another appearance by the male Bullfinch. A juvenile Black-headed Gull was seen over the west flood, two Avocets were on the new west scrape and on the east flood, and a second brood of seven Gadwall was on the main weast dyke. Two Peregines were seen over Nagden Marshes, a pair of Shelduck with four ducklings were in the creek and a Great Crested Grebe was near the mouth of the creek. A Ruff, the first seen here since March flew west, towards Emley perhaps, at 11.30.

(Geoff Burton)

June 23rd

(07:30-11:00) Sunny and warm with a light and declining W breeze. A Corn Bunting was singing along the entrance road as I drove in. Met up with Mike Stevens. The first returning Green Sandpiper called just once over the West Flood, but went unseen (better luck next time Mike!). A pair of Cuckoos were very active in the trees and scrub west of the cottages, both birds calling much of the morning. A female Marsh Harrier flew west over the fishing ponds. A Lesser Whitethroat was singing near the East Hide, and a family party of Whitethroats consisting of one adult and five juveniles was just to the east. On the East Flood: the 3 drake Garganeys again; the Black-tailed Godwit flock had risen to 51 with most birds roosting on an island, but sixteen were feeding in the south-east corner; plus 2 Avocets, 2 Little Egrets and 2 Common Terns. 2 Avocets were at the mouth of Faversham Creek, plus 9 Curlews on the mud to the east. A Yellow Wagtail flew west near Dan's Dock. And those were the highlights!

(Mike Stevens and Murray Wright)

June 22nd

(05:45-11:00) Bright and sunny after the early heavy cloud broke up, with a strong SW wind blowing. A bit slow going! The 3 drake Garganeys were on the East Flood again, plus a 1st summer Mediterranean Gull, 31 Black-tailed Godwits, and a pair of Marsh Harriers creating a bit of mayhem. A male Blackcap, 2 Turtle Doves, 2 Cuckoos and 1 Little Owl were opposite the cottages.

(Murray Wright)

June 21st

(06:15-11:00) A grey and misty morning with drizzle and light rain on the light SE wind. The 3 moulting drake Garganeys were still on the East Flood, plus: 12 Black-tailed Godwits (five more flew over east), 13 Redshanks, 17 Lapwings, a Curlew flew south-west, 4 Teal, 13 Shovelers, circa 40 Gadwall, 2 Common Terns and 2 Little Egrets. A pair of Turtle Doves were around the cottages, and a Little Owl and a Cuckoo were in the paddocks opposite. 7 Avocets were along Faversham Creek. 4 Grey Plovers, 9 Curlews and 3 Little Egrets were around the mouth of the creek. A Sandwich Tern flew east along the Swale, and there were 2 Little Terns and circa 25 Common Terns feeding around Horse Sands. 4 adult and 9 juvenile Bearded Tits were behind the Sea Wall hide, and up to 50 Sand Martins (including several scaly juveniles) were settling in the reeds there too. 6 more Black-tailed Godwits were barely visible on the West Flood until being flushed by a pair of Lesser Black-backed Gulls and flying east. A duck Shoveler with four well grown young were in a dyke near Dan's Dock. A male Marsh Harrier was hunting over the west side.

(Murray Wright)

June 18th

(06:15-10:00) A bright and sunny start, but with heavy cloud building on the stiff SW breeze. A Grey Partridge was in the horse paddock opposite the cottages, plus the male Bullfinch again, 1 Little Owl, 1 female Great Spotted Woodpecker and 1 Cuckoo. Only 1 drake Garganey on the East Flood this morning, plus 5 Teal, 14 Shovelers, 14 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Avocets, 8 Redshanks, 13 Lapwings (plus circa 50 flew west), 2 Little Egrets and 2 Common Terns. A Yellow Wagtail flew west over Faversham Creek. 2 Avocets and 17 Curlews were on the mud viewed from the Sea Wall hide. A pair of Marsh Harriers were hunting around the reserve again. A pair of Cuckoos were in the trees behind the East Hide. Circa 200 Sand Martins and 50 Swifts were feeding over the East Flood.

(Murray Wright)

June 17th

(05:15-08:30) Bright, sunny and warm with a strenghthening S wind. The male Bullfinch was showing well in the dead trees opposite the cottages again (but I still couldn't get close enough for even a quarter decent record shot!). The 3 drake Garganeys were still on the East Flood.

(Murray Wright)

(08:00-14:15) I could only find 2 drake Garganeys on the East Flood - both looking tattier as each day passes. A Hobby appeared briefly over the East Flood early afternoon and there was a male Sparrowhawk west of Uplees Copse, with Marsh Harriers showing frequently both sides of the Swale there. A Common Tern was fishing off the copse and another was doing similarly off the Sea Wall hide. As to waders, I counted 12 Redshank on the East Flood with a similar number of Lapwing. There were 2 Avocet on the West Scrape. Finally, 2 Grey Partidge were seen in the field behind the cottages.

(Mike Stevens)

(10:45-12.45) A short visit. Mike Stevens was there and Murray Wright had been and gone. Quiet as befits mid-summer. Two adult Mediterranean Gulls flew south over the cottages, a cock Bullfinch flew west away from the paddocks and a pair of Grey Partridges was in the fields to the east of the cottages. There were two Avocets on the east flood and one Little Tern in the creek. Mike reported at least two drake Garganeys present on the East Flood.

Of non-avian interest were several Common Blue butterflies, a female Blue-tailed Damselfy and several Black-tailed Skimmers and Four-spotted Chasers.

(Geoff Burton)

June 16th

(07:15-11:15) Bright and sunny with a freshening NE wind. A male Bullfinch was in the trees opposite the cottages (a pair were present yesterday morning), plus 1 Cuckoo. An adult and at least 2 juvenile Cetti's Warblers were in the hedge along the path to the West Hide. A moulting drake Wigeon on the East Flood was the first I've seen since April 10th. 3 drake Garganey were still on the East Flood, plus 3 female Pochards with broods of five, eight, and nine young, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 12 Redshanks, 2 Avocets, 2 Oystercatchers, a Little Grebe with one young, 2 Common Terns, 2 Little Egrets and the pair of Mute Swans with four cygnets. 9 Curlews were on the mud at the mouth of Faversham Creek. At least 17 Little Terns were feeding on the Swale, plus several Common Terns. 4 juvenile Bearded Tits were in the reeds behind the Sea Wall hide. A Sparrowhawk was circling over the fishing ponds. A second pair of Mute Swans and their brood of 5 cygnets were on the fleet just east of the West Flood. 2 Hobbies were hunting over the west side, plus 1 male Marsh Harrier. 1 Little Owl was near Dan's Dock.

(Murray Wright)

June 14th

(05:30-10:30) Mainly bright and sunny with a light W wind. A Cuckoo and a calling Little Owl were opposite the cottages. The 4 drake Garganey, all well into their moult into eclipse, were on the East Flood still, plus: 37 Gadwall (a pair with 8 ducklings), 13 Shovelers, circa 75 Mallards, several Tufted Ducks and Pochards (one female with a brood of 5 ducklings), a pair of Mute Swans with four young cygnets, 11 Lapwings, 6 Redshanks and 2 Little Egrets. Circa 250 Swifts were over the reserve all morning giving great views, particularly low over the sea wall. A Lesser Whitethroat was singing occasionally behind the East Hide. Just 9 Curlews were on the mud around the mouth of Faversham Creek. 6 Little Terns were fishing on the Swale, plus several Common Terns and 1 Great Crested Grebe. 6 juvenile Bearded Tits were in the reeds near the Sea Wall hide. A Little Owl was showing well on the concrete near Dan's Dock. An adult male Bearded Tit was in the reeds infront of Uplees Copse. The female Marsh Harrier with the drooping right leg was around the reserve much of the morning.

(Murray Wright)

June 13th

(08:00-12:00) At least the weather was kind because otherwise there was little to lift the spirits. Cottages/paddocks/path to West Hide: Turtle Dove, Cuckoo, Cetti's Warbler, several Common Whitethroat and 2 Lesser Whitethroats. Reed Warblers were much in evidence outnumbering Sedge Warblers by some margin. A Little Owl slowly circumnavigated the paddock, moving from fence post to fence post. East Flood: 3 drake Garganeys showed well all morning, otherwise there was little of note with waders totalling six birds at high tide - 3 Redshank, 2 Lapwing and a lone Black-tailed Godwit. A walk around the sea wall passed the Sea Wall Hide and onto Dan's Dock was similarly unrewarding save for frequent sightings of Marsh Harriers on both sides of the Swale.

(Mike Stevens)

June 12th

(07:30-11:45) Grey and overcast with heavy showers on a freshening NW wind. A noisy juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker was in the trees beside the entrance gate to the the path to the West Hide, being 'mobbed' by a pair of Lesser Whitethroats. A Cuckoo was in the scrub just to the west. Met Mike Roser along the entrance road and we made a circuit of the East Flood. 4 drake Garganey (does this constitute a flock?) were on the flood, plus 4 Teal, 11 Shovelers, circa 25 Gadwall, 2 Avocets, 21 Black-tailed Godwits (which flew off west early on), 4 Redshanks, 4 Lapwings, 2 Common Terns and 2 Little Egrets. 2 more Common Terns were along Favesham Creek, plus several on the Swale, and 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls flew south there. 2 Marsh Harriers (a male and the female with the drooping right leg) were hunting around the reserve. Mike left at circa 10:30. I sheltered from a heavy shower in the car, moving to the pull-in so I could look over the East Flood. At 10:55 I noticed lots of gulls up over the Swale and amongst them an Osprey flying in from the east. It made slow progress being mobbed by assorted gulls and several Oysercatchers, eventually heading along Faversham Creek before turning back west and heading over the cottages, where it began hovering over the fishing ponds (allowing me to get a record shot). I was joined by Richard Smith and at around 11:20 we watched it dive out of view into the ponds, coming up a few seconds later with a small fish. It carried it off and landed on a gate to the west of the West Flood where the local Magpies started hassling it. Eventually it had had enough and flew off back towards the Swale and we watched it head west and disappear behind Uplees Copse at around 11:30. A welcome year tick for both myself and Richard.

(Murray Wright)

June 9th

(04:00-08:00) Bright, sunny and warm with only a very light NW. A Barn Owl was hunting at Dan's Dock. 11 Little Egrets were on the West Scrape at dawn. 2 Great Crested Grebes were around the slipway at high tide. A Greenshank and 16 Black-tailed Godwits were roosting on the East Flood, plus 2 Avocets, 4 Redshank, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Lapwings, 1 drake Garganey, circa 20 Gadwall, circa 50 Mallard, 3 Teal, 7 Shovelers, 1 Common Tern and 4 Little Egrets. 2 Turtle Doves, 1 Cuckoo and 1 Lesser Whitethroat were in the paddocks/scrub. 2 Grey Partridges were in the field behind the cottages. 6 Lapwings flew west. 6 Little Terns were on the Swale.

(Murray Wright)

At circa 21:30 a Long-eared Owl flew west along the seawall and landed on a post near Dan's Dock briefly before continuing towards Uplees  - the first record this year (and the first for several years!). Also, 2 Hobbies over the west side this evening, and the dyke bisecting the flood just before Dan's Dock held a colourful displaying male Ruddy Duck.

(Steve Clinch and Mike Roser)

Nearby at South Swale LNR Mike Roser was on duty at Castle Coote, and at 12:45 he had a Red Kite flying high west roughly following the line of the pylons towards Uplees.

June 7th

(05:30-10:30) Grey and overcast with a little drizzle and a cool NW wind. A Barn Owl was hunting around the West Flood first thing. The 2 drake Garganeys were still on the East Flood, plus 5 Teal, 14 Gadwall, 2 drake Shovelers, 2 Avocets, 1 Curlew flying west, 2 Redshanks, 3 Oystercatchers, 2 Lapwings, 1 Common Tern and 2 Little Egrets. The male Blackcap was showing well opposite the cottages, plus 1 Turtle Dove and a pair of Cuckoos. Just 9 Curlews were around the mouth of Faversham Creek. 7 Little Terns and circa 20 Common Terns were on the Swale feeding around the west end of Horse Sands. A Turtle Dove was 'purring' at Uplees Copse and 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls flew east along the Swale there. 2 Marsh Harriers were hunting around the reserve. Back at the East Flood circa 100 Swifts and good numbers of Swallows, Sand Martins and a few House Martins were feeding low over the water.

(Murray Wright)

June 6th

(05:30-08:00) Overcast and grey with a light W wind. Only time for a short visit this morning. Not a great deal of note: 8 Little Egrets and circa 150 Black-headed Gulls were on the West Scrape; the 2 drake Garganeys were on the East Flood again; 2 Grey Plovers and 5 Curlews were on the mud at the mouth of Faversham Creek; and a flock of 24 Curlews flew west along the Swale.

(Murray Wright)

June 5th

(05:15-10:00) Bright, sunny and warm with a light W wind. 2 drake Garganey were on the East Flood early morning, plus 13 Gadwall, 11 Teal, a pair of Shovelers, circa 35 Mallard, 7 Tufted Ducks, 9 Pochard (including a duck with a brood of 9 ducklings), 2 Redshank, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Lapwings and 2 Little Egrets.  The sunshine had encouraged plenty of song from the scrub west of the cottages, with 2 male and 1 female Cuckoo calling constantly, plus 3 Turtle Doves, a singing Blackcap and the Nightgingale singing occasionally, and plenty of Whitethroats, Sedge and Reed Warblers, and several Linnets. The Little Owl was again perched on the horse boxes in the paddocks, and a pair of Pied Wagtails had 3 young in attendance there. A very worn looking Buzzard was over Mocketts on Sheppey. A pair of Sparrowhawks were soaring over the Gate House Bungalows. A pair of adult Mediterranean Gulls circled over Uplees Copse and drifted east. A flock of 21 Lapwings flew west. 2 Marsh Harriers were hunting over the West Flood.

(Murray Wright)

June 4th

(05:45-10:15) Grey and murky with constant drizzle until around 09:00 when it started to dry up. The wind was a very light W. A drake Garganey was on the East Flood again, plus 1 Ringed Plover, 2 Lapwings, 3 Teal, 8 Gadwall and 2 Little Egrets. A steady passage of Swifts was moving west early on, plus plenty of birds feeding low over the East Flood with the Swallows and Sand Martins. A Little Owl was perched on the horse boxes in the paddock west of the cottages, plus 1 Turtle Dove, 2 Cuckoos, 1 Nightingale and 1 Blackcap in the area. A Corn Bunting was singing near the sluice. 2 Grey Plovers were on the mud infront of the Sea Wall hide, plus 2 Avocets and 10 Curlews to the east of the creek, and 9 Common Terns and 1 Great Crested Grebe on the Swale. The 2 Red-breasted Geese were with 8 Canada Geese on the mud on the north side of the Swale looking towards Harty Church. 2 Marsh Harriers were hunting over the west side. A Little Owl was perched out inland of Dan's Dock. A Cuckoo and a Turtle Dove were in Uplees Copse, plus 1 Grey Partridge nearby, and 2  Avocets and 2 Curlews on the mud there. The pair of Avocets were on the West Scrape.

(Murray Wright)

(12:30-16:00) Play having been abandoned for the day at Canterbury I ventured out to Oare Marshes instead. Not that there was much to report: drake Garganey on the East Flood; Little Owl in flight beyond the cottages towards the fishing ponds.

(Mike Stevens)

June 3rd

(5:45-10:15) Cloudy and dull with birds to match. The east flood was awash only with water. A single Lapwing and, later, a Redshank were the only waders on the flood although parties of 20 and ten Black-tailed Godwits flew over in disgust! A drake Garganey was roosting on an island in the SE corner, there were ten Gadwall feeding in the middle and a new brood of six Pochard was seen (no further news of the brood of five seen on the west side on May 20th). The tide was low and two Avocets, five Grey Plovers, and two Curlew were on the mud around the mouth of the creek. Opposite the cottages, both male and female Cuckoos were heard, a Turtle Dove was in song and display flight and single Blackcap and Nightingale continue to sing. Two Redshank and a cock Yellow Wagtail were seen on the flooded new acquisition and a Corn Bunting was singing close by what was formerly the SE scrape (remember the Red-necked Phalarope?). A Barn Owl was seen carrying prey towards Oare Creek and, at 8.25-30, one was hunting over the east and west floods. On the new west "scrape" a Lesser Black-backed Gull was attempting to swallow a mole which had presumably been a flood victim! On the west flood a brood of at least seven Shoveler was present on one of the pools, a Black Tern was hawking over the Swale amongst some Common Terns, a Little Owl was by its usual blockhouse and at Dan's Dock a female Great Spotted Woodpecker flew in from Uplees whilst hepatic female Cuckoo flew towards the hamlet. It was encouraging to see two new broods of duck, although numbers have been low this year so far, and no young waders were seen. For some species, there is no mud to nest on whereas others may have been washed out by the floods. Ironically perhaps, I note that a board has now been taken out of the sluice and water was pouring away! A total of 77 species was recorded.

(Geoff Burton)

Repeating no doubt some of Geoff`s observations: Barn Owl quartering both East and West Floods at 08:30-08:10; Common Terns and a Sandwich Tern on the Swale; Water Rail and 1 Bearded Tit near the Sea Wall hide; a Shelduck with newly hatched brood of eight in the creek; Hobby hunting behind Uplees copse; 3 Avocets and 2 Bar-tailed Godwit on foreshore mud; Cetti's at rear of copse; 2 Cuckoos - the male pursuing female out over the Swale calling continuously; Turtle Dove singing; and male and female Marsh Harriers in evidence around the West Flood.

(Mike Roser)

June 2nd

(07:00-10:00) Grey and murky again with rain on a freshening NE wind. A drake Garganey was on the East Flood, plus 3 Teal, 4 Shovelers, 6 Gadwall and 2 Little Egrets. On the mud at the mouth of Faversham Creek on the incoming tide: 1 Avocet, 1 Dunlin, 1 Grey Plover, 2 Turnstones and 10 Curlews, plus 7 Common Terns on the Swale. 2 Avocets were on the West Scrape. A pair of Marsh Harriers were hunting over the west side. A calling Little Owl was in the trees opposite the cottages, plus a singing Blackcap, 1 Cetti's Warbler and 1 Cuckoo. Lots of Swifts and hirundines were feeding over the reserve, including circa 50 House Martins.

(Murray Wright)

June 1st

(05:15-10:45) Grey, misty and murky with a bit of light drizzle on a cool, light N wind - quite a contrast to yesterday! A very quiet start to the month. 2 Turtle Doves, 2 Cuckoos, 1 Nightingale and 1 Blackcap were west of the cottages. No sign of the two drake Garganey on the East Flood and not a great deal else: 2 Redshank, 1 Oystercatcher, 3 Teal (2 drakes), 5 drake Gadwall, a pair of Shovelers, 13 Mallards, 17 Tufted Ducks, 13 Pochards, 4 Common Terns and 2 Little Egrets. A Corn Bunting was singing east of the cottages, with the pair of Grey Partridges seen nearby again. Amongst 10 Bearded Tits noted in the reeds around the East Flood were two juv. males and two juv. females. 4 Curlews were on the mud east of the mouth of Faversham Creek. 1 Sandwich Tern and 10 Common Terns were on the Swale, plus 1 Great Crested Grebe. A Turtle Dove was 'purring' at Uplees Copse, plus 1 Cuckoo there, and circa 100 noisy Starlings (with about a 2 to 1 ratio of juvs. to adults). A call from Mike Gould reporting 69 Gannets flying into the Swale west past Seasalter had me heading back to the Sea Wall hide where I picked out two in the mist heading north, the others presumably realising their mistake and heading out of the Swale unseen. Over the East Flood there were now circa 75 Swifts, 25 Swallows and a few Sand Martins. Thoughts of an early finish were dashed by the news of a summer plumaged American Golden Plover at Pegwell Bay, so it was off there and a successful twitch for this long overdue Kent tick!

(Murray Wright)